31 ways to celebrate the holidays in Denver

Making plans for the holidays? We’ve scoured what’s available and plucked one gem for each of the 31 days in December – along with links to ticket sources and phone numbers.

1

NightLights Tree Lighting Celebration in Fort Collins. Santa, live music, complimentary soup and a dessert buffet are included at the event starting at 6 p.m. The NightLight Tree fundraiser benefits youth agencies that help victims of neglect or abuse. The 1919 Dodge Brothers touring car that was driven by Jimmy Stewart in the film “It’s A Wonderful Life,” will be on display from 5 to 6 p.m. Front lawn of the First Presbyterian Church, 531 S. College Ave., 970-484-9090, giveanightlight.com. More events at downtownfortcollins.com.

2

“A Christmas Carol.” Based on the novel by Charles Dickens, the family-friendly musical about Ebenezer Scrooge is presented on The Stage Theatre Nov. 28-Dec. 28. Dates and times vary. Tickets start at $49. Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets, 303-893-4100, denvercenter.org

3

Denver Municipal Band. All ages are welcome to this annual holiday benefit concert for the FISH Food Bank in Broomfield, 7 p.m. Admission is by donation — of cash or nonperishable food. Broomfield Auditorium, 3 Community Park Road, 720-887-2371, attheaudi.com

4

“Amahl and the Night Visitors.” Central City Opera presents the holiday opera about love and good deeds at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4-5 and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6. $25, $15 students. Family activities are offered 30 minutes before each show; meet the cast for photos and autographs after each show. St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 8817 S. Broadway, Highlands Ranch, 303-292-6700, centralcityopera.org/amahl

8

“BALLS! VI: A Holiday Spectacular.” All audience members receive a sock puppet at this holiday variety show that also showcases games and sing-alongs. 7 p.m. Dec. 8 and Dec. 15. Doors open at 6 p.m. $22, $18 in advance. Proceeds benefit the Denver Actors Fund, a nonprofit that helps members of the Denver theater community with medical emergencies. Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret, 1601 Arapahoe St., 303-293-0075, lannies.com

9

Colorado Gives Day. It’s the day that launched a statewide movement to “celebrate and increase philanthropy in Colorado through online giving.” On the website you can search by nonprofit or cause to choose your recipient; you can also schedule your donation in advance. coloradogives.org

14

Governor’s Residence Holiday Tours. The Governor’s Residence at the Boettcher Mansion is open for free tours 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 13-19. The American Society of Interior Designers Colorado Chapter decorated the mansion. Guests are admitted first-come, first-serve; reservations are not taken. Large groups may e-mail info@grpfund.org. 400 E. 8th Ave., coloradoshome.org

15

Denver Pavilions Holiday Carousel. The first holiday carousel in the history of the 16th Street Mall is open daily 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 12-21. Rides are $3 each — or free with a nonperishable food donation to Food Bank of the Rockies, a purchase from a Denver Pavilions retailer, or a blooddonation during the Bonfils Blood Drive 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 14. Mayor Michael Hancock will attend the carousel’s kickoff celebration at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 12. And Santa will be there 1-3 p.m. Dec. 14 and Dec. 21 — cameras welcome. A cappella group, The Mistletones, will perform 2-4 p.m. Dec. 13 and Dec. 20. 16th Street Mall and Glenarm Place, denverpavilions.com

19

Colorado Symphony Orchestra. The CSO has a busy month of concerts with special guests such as Pink Martini, Celtic Woman, the Colorado Symphony Chorus and the Colorado Children’s Chorale. Call or visit the website for the schedule, including “A Night in Vienna” on Dec. 31. Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets, 303-623-7876, coloradosymphony.org

20

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble. See “Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum” in its 23rd season celebrating world cultures and traditions. Dec. 6-7, Dec. 12-14 and Dec. 19-21. Times and tickets vary. Group rates available. Byron Theatre Newman Center for the Performing Arts, University of Denver, 2344 E. Iliff Ave., 303-871-7720, newmantix.com/cleo

25

Denver Botanic Gardens and Denver Zoo. The holidays are not complete without these spectacular light shows: “Blossoms of Light” Dec. 5-Jan. 1 at 1005 York St. and “Trail of Lights” Nov. 28-30 and Dec. 5-Jan. 1 at the Chatfield location, 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Road in Littleton, 720-865-3500 or botanicgardens.org. “Zoo Lights,” with more than 150 animated animal sculptures and 40+ acres of lights, is Dec. 5-Jan. 4, 2300 Steele St., 720-337-1612 or denverzoo.org

26

Jesters Dinner Theatre has shows for all ages including a dinner theater production of “Scrooge: Bah Humbug!” Dec. 5-28. Dates, times vary. $31-$39 dinner and show, $16-$24 show only. Youngsters can see “A Christmas Carol” at 3 p.m. Dec. 6, 13, 20 and 27, and at 11 a.m. Dec. 23 and 26. Tickets are $7. 224 Main St., Longmont, 303-682-9980, jesterstheatre.com

27

Arvada Center’s “Lyle the Crocodile.” Find out what happens when a crocodile shows up in the Primm family’s bathtub in the production based on the children’s book Oct. 16-Dec. 28. Dates and times vary. Adults can have a date night with “She Loves Me” Nov. 25-Dec. 21. 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada, 720-898-7200, arvadacenter.org

29

Southwest Rink. BYO skates or rent some for $2 and take a free spin on the outdoor ice rink, open daily Nov. 25-Feb. 16. Hours vary. Free lessons Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to noon and Saturdays from 8 to 10 a.m. Special events are also slated including a Broomball Challenge. 16th Street Mall and Arapahoe Street, 303-825-6787, southwestrink.com

30

DAVA Art Bazaar. Show and sale of original works including paintings, lamps, ornaments, pottery, jewelry, baskets by Downtown Aurora Visual Arts children and local guest artists, Dec. 5-Jan. 9. The young artists work on their projects all year and proceeds benefit DAVA art programs. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment. Admission is free. 1405 Florence St., Aurora, 303-367-5886, davarts.org

31

Downtown Denver Fireworks. Everyone in town has a free, first-class ticket to the sky to see the two idential fireworks show beginning at 9 p.m. and midnight along the 16th Street Mall. downtowndenver.com

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